Curiosity Killed... the Dog?

Promise

Sesshomaru watched as the Miko quietly walked away from the campsite. Pain and depression radiated from her aura, causing Sesshomarus instincts to be on edge. It was unnatural the dynamics of their pack. Unlike what would be expected, the Miko herself presented as the alpha rather than the son of the greatest alpha to ever live, as one would expect.

And the disrespect she suffered at the hands of her first packmate was unheard of. It made him wonder if she even understood her position as leader of the group. Glancing toward their combined packs and noting their sleepy content, he silently raised and turned to follow.

The Miko was known for being a magnet for trouble. Usually, through no fault of her own, any time she was left to her own devices for too long, some crazy person was there trying to kidnap her, steal her soul, marry her against her will... it was exhausting. He knew that if those situations annoyed him as much as they did, the Miko most likely fared worse.

He decided he didn't want her dealing with more undo stress, though he had no idea why that was. So he took it upon himself to play guardian for the night. The others would be safe under Jajen and Ah-Un's watch. But the Miko would NOT be ok alone.

Sesshomaru watched as the Miko found a clearing filled with blooming purple flowers. She crumbled to her knees, chest heaving, and tears running down her face. The look of anguish on her face paled in comparison to the hiccupping sobs racking though her small human body.

The full moons glow hilighted the misery in her gaze as she stared off into nothing. Sesshomaru watch and fumed.

The Miko was too good for the good-for-nothing half-breed. She was strong. She was maternal and unbiased. She was educated and creative. She was powerful. Willful, but not afraid to protect those she claims as hers.

The Miko was also loyal... to a fault, as was made clear by the display before him. To see an alpha weep over the comings and goings of a useless beta sparked an irritation in him he couldn't get over.

"The hanyou is undeserving of your affections." He ignored the way the Miko gasped and jumped at the sound of his voice. It seemed she was so lost in her misery that she neglected to stay aware of her surroundings. A novice mistske.

It was a good thing he decided to follow her. If she was so distressed at Inuyashas absence that she couldnt sense the most powerful living daiyokai walking right up to her, than she definitely wasnt in any position to protect herself. Should the need arise. "Your tears are wasted on one as disloyal as he."

"You think I'm crying because I'm sad inuyasha is with Kikyo?" Though the fact that Sesshomaru thought that was annoying, but unsurprising. With the way she used to deal with Inuyasha's trysts, it made sense that's where his mind went. No matter how wrong he may be.

"Well, I'm not." Ready to go on the defensive, Kagome was surprised to see understanding in his normally impassive gaze.

"You are angry." Not untrue, but that's not exactly what was wrong with her. She didn't get why he was so interested but decided to clarify for him anyway.  "I'm in pain."

The understanding melted away and was replaced witha look of slight upset. "Explain."

She didnt get why he was so interested,  but if he wanted to let her vent, then she'dgladly oblige. "Kikyo and I share two parts of the same soul. But the part she holds is constantly trying to escape and return to me. Because of this, Kikyo uses her power to forcibly hold her part of her soul in her body."

Rubbing her chest, Kagome let out a resigned sigh. "The problem is, when she's anywhere near me, the spell she uses affects me. It holds her soul in place, but it also tries to pull the rest of it from my body."

"Why have you never mentioned this?" Kagome didnt know what surprised her more... the fact that Sesshomaru asked a question, or the fury that laced hos voice when he said it. Why was he so upset?

Deciding to think about it later, she figured she'd better keep talking before Sesshomaru became hostile. "I don't think she's doing it on purpose. I just think my soul just doesn't like being fractured. I think the whole reason she needed the spell in the first place was that her piece of soul was trying to come back to me. By holding it in place, the only way left for it to be whole is to merge in her body."

"Ridiculous. You would forfeit your soul for one as vile as the false miko?" He didn't get it. This wasn't anything she was doing by choice. This wasn't something she decided to just ignore... she was dealing with it as best as she could.

She didn't even let anyone know about it! She always made sure to go away from camp to handle the pain. He's the one who followed her, just to accuse her of giving up?! Baka!

"Not intentionally, no." She said, not even trying to hide the frustration in her voice. "But it hurts so much. It's getting harder and harder to fight the pull. It's why I can never sleep when she's around."

Her voice has grown quiet and Sesshomaru expected that without his enhanced hearing, he wouldnt have even heard her.

But its what she said last that had his inner beast howling. "I'm afraid of I do, I won't wake up."

Without hesitation, Sesshomarudrew his sword. His instincts wouldnt allow him *not* to act. He was the alpha of alphas and this small onna needed an alphas protection.

Stabbing the swordinto the ground, Sesshomaruwatched as a pale blue barrier formed around him and the Miko. "Tenseigas barrier will not allow your soul to leave your body. Much like the dead ones spell, but much stronger."

"Of course it's stronger." Kagome said with a slight smile as she looked at the shining force field surrounding her.

"Hn." Deciding to take the compliment for what it was, Sesshomaru inwardly smirked at her acknowledgment of his strength. Dropping into a relaxed sitting position, he motioned for her to join him.  "Miko. This one shall guard your sleep."

"Why?" The startled look in her eyes was amusing,  but moreover was the look of disbelief on her face.

"Humans require rest. You have been lacking in such. If this does not cease, you will cause yourself injury." He answered nonchalantly.

"Aww, Sesshomaru, I didn't know you cared." The sarcasm in her voice left much to be desired. But instead of repremanding her, he decided to gather her into his lap, wrapping his mokomokoaround her to keep her warm.

"Hn. Rest Miko." The shiver that he felt come from the small woman in his lap caused a stir of unfamiliar emotions to arise. He still didn't understand what was happening between his instincts and the Miko, but he did know things needed to change.

Now that Sesshomaru understood the severity of the situation, he began brainstorming ways in which to direct the changes in the pack he would see implemented. He could no longer allow the disrespect to continue. Nor could the dead one continue to be allowed to walk the earth.